Cycle tourism is very popular in the Netherlands, with over 50% of Dutch people participating annually. The Netherlands Cycling Platform coordinates the national cycling route network and works with regional organizations to develop additional routes and promote cycling tourism. Key successes have been investing in a high quality route network with clear signage, coordinating accommodation and services for cyclists, and conducting joint marketing between national and regional tourism groups. Maintaining route quality long-term requires ongoing funding and cooperation across organizations.

1. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands
Eric Nijland, director Netherlands Cycling Platform
Edinburgh, 13th November 2012 – Cycling Scotland Conference

2. Content
Introduction Netherlands Cycling Platform (Fietsplatform)
Introduction cycle tourism in the Netherlands
Focus on the route network in the Netherlands
Focus on marketing/promotion
Success factors (and threats)
What’s in it for Scotland
Cycle tourism in the Netherlands
Eric Nijland, director Netherlands Cycling Platform

3. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands moving on
Netherlands Cycling Platform (Fietsplatform)
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4. Role and position
Cycling in NL: all day cycling ⇔ recreational cycling/ cycle tourism
NL: lot of organisations are (more or less) involved with cycle tourism
Need of cooperation and coordination
Netherlands Cycling Platform - “umbrella-organisation” (since 1987)
Dutch name: “Fietsplatform”
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5. Tasks
1. Expertise and coordination
centre for cycle tourism in NL
2. Working organisation for
National cycle network
(development, maintenance)
3. Working organisation for
information/promotion
‘Nederland Fietsland’
(= Cycling Holland)
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6. Goals
Sustainable top quality of the recreational cycling facilities in NL
More people active enjoying NL by cycling; more cycle trips
(market research: opportunities! innovation)
With less costs (more efficiency) more return on investment
(more use, more spending)
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7. Organisation (1)
Public-private partnership, foundation
Board: important organisations involved with cycling and tourism:
the 12 Dutch provinces Dutch touring Dutch cyclists’ Dutch cyclists’ Dutch cycling
club union touring union industry
(sport cycling)
& huge numbers of partners/partnerships:
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8. Organisation (2)
Small staff (8 employees), lot of volunteers (150)
Budget: ± 2/3 public funding (provinces), 1/3 own resources
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9. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands

10. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands
> facts & figures
Recreational use of the bicycle in NL (2011)
50% of the Dutch people make recreational cycle tours
± 170 million recreational cycle trips (10 p.p.)
± 1 million cycle-holidays
± € 500 million spending during the cycle trips/tours

11. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands
> facts & figures
Recreational use of the bicycle in NL
Popular because:
given created
Attractive landscape (flat!) X ??
Lot of good infrastructure X X
Good signposting X
Nice cycle routes/networks X
Good accommodation and service X
Further product development X
Lot of information and promotion X
some ‘postcards’
to illustrate >>>>

12. Attractive landscape
attractive cities, huge variety
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13. Many quiet roads
dikes, farmer roads; attractive for cycling!
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14. Many cycle paths (‘fietspaden’)
if necessary: in case of safety, comfort or missing links
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15. Specific infrastructure
bridges, tunnels and ferries
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16. Signposting for cyclists
(red or green: destination or touristic routes)
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17. Cycle routes/networks
(= selection existing possibilities)

18. Accommodation & service
(addresses to stop for food, drink, overnight stay)
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19. coordinated by Fietsplatform:
Label for attractive bike stops
(Bed & Bike ... & Beer?)
+ 1.000 Cyclists Welcome addresses
1 label instead of several regional initiatives!
Connected with international labels
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20. Service
(re)charging e-bikes, rental, repair, transport
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21. Further product development
route planners, Gps tours, packages
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22. Information & promotion
Internet, folders, VVV, ANWB
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23. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands – routes/ route networks

24. 3 types of routes/ route networks:
National network Regional networks Thematic round tours
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25. National network (LF-routes)
Heerenveen
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26. National network (LF-routes)
• Network of 25 long-distance routes
(LF1 Noordzeeroute, LF2 Stedenroute etc.)
• 1st target group: cycle holidays
• Completely signposted in two directions
• International connections (EuroVelo)
• Fietsplatform: coordination/ promotion
4.500 km route
(existing paths/roads)
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27. National network (LF-routes) → neighbouring countries/ international routes
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28. National network (LF-routes) → neighbouring countries/ international routes
• 25 LF-routes vormen netwerk; 4.500 km
• gebruik: lange-afstand (fietsvakanties)
• aansluiting buurlanden en Europese routes
• Fietsplatform: realisatie → beheer/promotie
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29. National network (LF-routes) → neighbouring countries/ international routes
• 25 LF-routes vormen netwerk; 4.500 km
• gebruik: lange-afstand (fietsvakanties)
• aansluiting buurlanden en Europese routes
• Fietsplatform: realisatie → beheer/promotie
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30. Regional networks (junction networks)
Heerenveen
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31. Regional networks (junction networks) http://vimeo.com/20782857
• Numbered junctions (choosing points);
signposting from junction to junction
• 1st target group: daytrips
• Synchronised with national network
• Initiative: regions/provinces
• Fietsplatform: system coordination &
national promotion
30.000 km route;
7.500 junctions
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32. Thematic round tours
• 1st target group: also daytrips
• Solitary, short thematic routes
• ± 250 signposted
• Lot of publications
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33. National network and regional networks together:
• 30.000 km signposted route to plan your own trip
(long/short distance)
• Taking over the role of signposted thematic round tours
(example: Forest route, follow 18>25>27>61>38>18)
• Strong basis for promotion: complete, uniform, flexible
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34. National network and regional networks together:
Ideal basis for route planner!
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35. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands – marketing/promotion

36. Holland promotion
“Visit Holland”
(also because of the possibilities to
discover Holland by bike)
Regional promotion Promotion Cycling Holland
“Visit the province of Zeeland, “Discover Holland,
Utrecht, Friesland etc.!” go cycling”
(also because of the cycling facilities; (these are the possibilities: ……)
these are the possibilities: ……)
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38. Cycling Holland

39. • Website nederlandfietsland.nl (= portal cycle tourism holland)

40. Cycle tourism in the Netherlands – success factors (and threats)

41. Success factor 1: investing in quality (landscape/paths/routes)

42. Threat in NL: barriers!
Connection city – nature
Access rural area under pressure
Threat in NL: maintenance

43. long tradition in NL …
… is not always a benefit!
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44. National network and regional networks together:
• Strong basis for promotion: complete, uniform, flexible
but ...
• to develop a network is 1, to maintain it is 2!
• network is as strong as the weakest part!
Good, sustainable quality is a must!
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45. Quality management
120 contractpartners maintenance signing 50 regions, 3.500 km administrative borders
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46. Quality management – core business Fietsplatform
Network management national network System management regional networks
• Contracts for maintenance signing • Help solving problems connections
• Control with volunteers • Stimulate good maintenance
• Protect network quality (barriers!) • Help protecting network quality
• Stimulate efficient, sustainable solutions
Instrument: national route databank (GIS)
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47. Quality management – core business Fietsplatform
Instrument: national route databank (GIS)
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48. Quality management – core business Fietsplatform
Application: alert system signposting
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49. Quality management – core business Fietsplatform
Principle:
Cyclists report a problem,
alert system leads it
automatically to the right
authority
Alert system
route networks
Predefined response boxes
National & regional routes
Online and mobile (app)
Own website/ free widgets
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50. Success factor 2: investing in quality (accommodation & service)

51. Success factor 3: investing in good information/ promotion
+ market research (defining target groups)
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52. Threat in NL: too much information, individual approach
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53. Promoting checklist for success
outdoor recreation/ cycle
tourism
marketing/
information
further product development
accommodation and service
quality
quality
routes/networks
access (infrastructure)
basis: attractive landscape

54. Success factor 4: investing in cooperation
Cooperation:
Between organisations who are
responsible for specific subjects
(landscape, infrastructure, routes,
accommodation, service etc.)
Between national and regional
tourist boards (region promotion)
and cycling promotion organisations
Between cycling organisations
(more efficiency)
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55. What’s in it for Scotland:
Scotland is a strong brand; Cycling
Scotland too
Landscape is an opportunity, not a
threat (see Switzerland!)
Success factor: work together (1+1=3)
(see the Netherlands, see Switzerland)
Focus on development Scottish network
of routes and service. Focus on
sustainable quality (not quantity) – also
easier to promote!
Focus on clever marketing: define your
target groups, present solid info, both
on Scottish level as on regional level
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